FAIRBORN — The Fairborn High School Music Department will present the musical “The Wiz” 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 25 in the Fairborn High School auditorium.
This super-soul 1975 Tony Award winner for Best Musical retells L. Frank Baum’s classic “The Wizard of Oz” in the context of urban culture. Dorothy, a restless farm girl from Kansas, is transported by a tornado to a magical world of munchkins, witches and a yellow brick road. On her way to the Emerald City to meet “The Wiz,” she encounters the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion — friends who help her battle Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West, and eventually find the home she’s been seeking.
“‘The Wiz’ is such a fun retelling of a classic story,” said Director Karen Gorretta. “We are using animated digital projections for the first time this year, which adds a whole new dimension to the staging of the show. It really feels like you are right there in Oz with Dorothy and her friends.”
Students in the cast have been working on the show since returning from Thanksgiving break, rehearsing together four days per week. The pit orchestra crew have been meeting two days per week and it all comes together for five day per week of rehearsals beginning Monday, Feb. 13.
Several Baker Middle School and Fairborn Intermediate School students have been added to the cast as munchkins.
Cast members include Jayna Varner (Dorothy), Titus Smith (Scarecrow), Elijah Engle (Tin Man), Nick Moses (Lion), Shayla Murray (Aunt Em), Zyon Cousey (Addaperle), Olivia Sirch (Glinda), Anya Tassey (Evillene) and Kelsey Hoag (The Wiz). The student stage manager is Jaidyn Brauer and the student sound chief is Alicia Rountree. Sound design is done by John P. Gorretta, pit orchestra preparation by Aaron Campbell, stage and set design by Barb Skusa, costume design by LeAnna Errett lighting design by Matt Focht of Markey’s Rental and Staging, and choreography is by Kendra Bayer. Accompanist is Amy Whitehill.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens. All seats are general admission. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets are available during school hours in the FHS finance office or can be purchased at the door. For more information, contact Gorretta at [email protected] or 937-879-3611, ext. 102.
